As a homeowner, you know that there are many elements that can threaten your home’s structural integrity and beauty. Water damage, biological growth, animals and insects, and the wear of time are only a few of the things you must take measures to prevent. Sealing your basement floor is a majorly helpful tool in your arsenal.

There are many different kinds of floor sealants, including epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic coatings. These specialized paints or sealants do wonders to improve the appearance of concrete floors and make them easier to clean. Most importantly, they act as a protective barrier against many threats to your home.

Moisture

Your basement is the part of your home most likely to experience issues with moisture. The external conditions and gravitational focus of basements make them vulnerable to high levels of external and internal water, and because many basements are used for little more than infrequently-accessed storage, water damage can be missed until the problem is dramatic.

Water in the wrong place can lead to many problems, from mold growth to structural rot, and unfortunately basements can receive too much displaced water in a lot of ways, including groundwater, heavy or undispersed rainfall, and leaking from household appliances. Sealing your basement floor goes a long way toward keeping the water out and protecting your floors.

In the Event of a Flood

The key to taking action against water damage is to find it quickly. Be mindful of these common signs of excess moisture in your basement:

• Humid or heavy air
• Foul smells of rot or mildew
• Dampness at the base of the walls
• Wet floors and walls or the presence of condensation
• Dripping water
• Damaged flooring
• Water-staining
• Paint peeling off of walls or furniture

If you have current moisture problems, consult professionals like restoration contractors to find out what can be done.

Sealing Your Basement Floor to Prevent Water Damage

Floor coatings cannot undo moisture damage or correct it, but they can protect your basement floor from having a problem in the first place or from another incident. Floor sealants are moisture-resistant, blocking water and other liquids from seeping into your porous concrete. This prevents staining and is a relatively easy way to make your floor essentially waterproof from above and below.

If you are sealing your basement floor after the effects of a heavy rainstorm or leak, all signs of water damage will need to be repaired and the concrete dried out first. Too much moisture in the floor or even in the room can alter how a floor coating cures, minimizing its efficacy. A professional installer will check the state of the floor to see if it can be covered.

Mildew and Mold

The same factors that make a basement vulnerable to water damage also make it more susceptible to biological growth, and because the basement serves as a home’s foundation, preventing microorganisms from infiltrating it is critical to your family’s health. Fortunately, sealing your basement floor is an excellent way to make it mold-resistant.

Floor coatings are nutrient-bare systems, so they do not support the growth of things like mildew, fungi, and mold. Because coatings make floors easier to clean, biological agents like mold and mildew don’t have a leg to stand on. If you clean your floors regularly, these insidious interlopers won’t have a chance to grow.

Mice 

If they can get into your home, mice cause copious amounts of damage. They eat through furniture, stored food, clothing, and even structural elements of a home. They can also carry disease. It is vital to keep mice from getting into your home, and surprisingly enough, sealing your basement floor can do just that.

When a basement floor coating is installed, the sealant is applied to the floor and extends several inches up the wall. This closes off any seams, cracks, and gaps through while mice and insects usually enter a home. By sealing the floor, you seal the inside of your house away from external elements, protecting it from these miniscule trespassers.

Mechanical Damage

Sealing your basement floor doesn’t just keep things out—it also keeps the concrete being sealed in. Over time, the top layer of concrete tends to wear down in a process known as dusting. The fine film of concrete particles created can exacerbate respiratory conditions like allergies and asthma, but laying a protective sealant on the concrete prevents the process from happening in the first place.

Floor coatings strengthen concrete generally, protecting it from heat, high humidity, salt damage, and UV rays. Floor coatings can also protect your floor from more mechanical damage, such as heavy foot traffic or dropping tools.